Collapsible egg carton



Jan. 9, 1962 v E, SWANSON 3,016,179

COLLAPSIBLE EGG CARTON Filed Jan. l1. 1960 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Vernon E.Swo nson BY Kam.. iLoccs ATTORNEY Jan. 9, 1962 v. E. swANsoN 3,016,179

* COLLAPSIBLE EGG CARTON Filed Jan. ll, 1960 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR Vernon E. Swanson /66' ATTORNEY United States Patent Oiice 3,016,179 Patented Jan. 9, 196.2

of Delaware Filed Jan. 11, 1960, Ser. No. 1,540 11 Claims. (Cl. 229-29) This invention relates generally to containers and is more particularly concerned with improvements in a paperboard egg carton of the set-up type, which may be set up mechanically or by hand.

The packaging and marketing of eggs generally involves the placing of a d-ozen eggs in a protecting carton. The cartons in which the eggs are packaged are conventionally received in an egg-packaging room in a substantially fiat or knocked-down condition in order to obtain the rnost economical conservation of shipping space. The egg room in more elaborate installations may include machinery which automatically sets-up or erect-s the cartons from the flat or folded condition in which they are received. These machines may be power or hand operated and in certain instances, where the cost of the machinery is prohibitive, the egg cartons must be 4set-up by hand.

A primary object of this invention is to provide a novel egg carton and blank which provides the economies of space conservation, and when packed to be shipped is readily set-up automatically by machinery or by hand.

A further object of the invention i-s to provide a novel paperboard egg carton which inclu-des guide portions especially facilitating hand erection for orienting v-arious cooperating parts into erected relationship.

Another object of the invention is to provide in a paperboard carton of the character set forth portions which reinforce the carton against internal shock to protect the contents of the carton. g

And yet another object of the invention is to provide paperboard carton of the character involved which is constructed from a single blank for achieving one or more of the foregoing objects.

Other objects and the nature and advantages of the instant -invention will be apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a rectangular blank from which the novelv canton of the present invention is made;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the novel carton in a substantially folded or knocked-down condition;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the carton in an erected closed condition;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the erected carton in an open condition with a portion of one of the shallow depth partitions broken away;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the erected carton with the cover panel removed and shown in section;

lFIG. 6 is an enlarged transverse section taken substantially on line 6-6 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 isy an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the c-arton in an intermediate position of erection, showing the longitudinal reinforcing rib of the carton in relation to the shallow depthv partition-s of the carton; and

FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the end portion of the carton in an intermedia-te position of erection, showing the partitions subsequent to being swung into locking relation with the longitudinal reinforcing rib of the carton.

Referring to the drawings in detail, in FIG. l, a substantially rectangular blank is indicated generally at 10; the rectangular blank is of a Vshape which affords the best possible economy of material. The blank 10 is cut and scored in la particular and novel manner, Iand thereby comprises, in the form illustrated, a blank having two side-by-side units indicated generally `at 12 and 14 separated by a transversely extending division score line 1'6. As will be apparent from the following description, the carton erected from the blank 10 may be divided into -two units, each having `six egg cells therein.

The blank 10 includes marginal sides 18 and 20 and the score line 16 may be considered to be a marginal side of each of the units 12 and 14.

The blank 10 is divided into a series of flaps and panels,

which are separated from each other by fold lines exf.

tending from side 1S to side 20. Some of the fold lines are scored to facilitate the folding kof the blank into the condition shown in FIG. 2. The blank 10 -includes in order, a glue flap 22, a cross partition panel 24, a front wall panel 26, a bottom panel 28, a pair of longitudinal partition panels and 32, a second bottom panel 34, a back wall panel 36, a cover panel 38 and a tuck iiap 40.

Since each unit 12 and 14 is identical, only one unit will be described in detail. In each yunit there is provided in the cross partition panel 24 two full depth cross partitions 42 and 44 having two shallow depth cross partitions 46 and 48 therebetween. The full depth partition 42 is severed from the glue flap 22 and the front panel 26 by inwardly converging cuts 50 and 52extending from points 54 and 56 spaced a short distance inwardly from the lateral side or margin 18 of the unit 12.

' Score lines 58 and 60 extend from the point 54 and 56,

l between the fold line 74 and 76. The

respectively, substantially transversely of the partition 42 to facilitate downward folding of the partition when the carton is erected.

- The full depth partition 44 is also severed from the glue ap 22 and front wall panel 26 by inwardly converging cuts 62 and 64 originating from points `66 and 68, respectively, spaced inwardly from the marginal score line 16 and transverse Iscored portions 70 and 72 are provided from the points 66 and 68, respectively, to facilitate downward folding of the full depth partition 44, as will subsequently become apparent. When Ithe crosspartition panel 24 is folded into the condition shown in FIG. 2, it will be folded at fold line 74 separating it from the fron-t wall panel 26. Additionally, the glue flap 22 will be folded at the fold line 76.

The'full depth partition 42 is integrally connected to the glue flap 22 and front wall 26 by connecting portions 78 and 80 fat the hinge line 76 and 74, respectively. The full depth partition 44 is connected to the glue ap 22 and front wall 26 by connecting portions 82 and 84 at the hinge lines 76 and 74 respectively. The full depth partition 42 includes an L-shaped cut-out portion including one leg 86 extending inwardly from the lateral side 18 equidistantly between the fold lines 74 and 76, and is intersected by a second leg 88 terminating in an outwardly opening notched out portion 90. Likewise, the full depth partition 44 includes an L-shaped cut-out portion including a first leg 92 equidistantly between the fold lines 74 and 76 and in alignment with the leg 86, the leg 92 intersecting a transverse leg 94 terminating in a cut-out portion 96 opening toward the marginal score line 16. The full depth partition 42 includes tab portions 93 and 100 formed by cuts 102 and 104, respectively, extending in-r ward-ly from the cuts 50 and 52. The cuts 102 and 104 merge into cuts 106 and 108, respectively, extending transversely of the blank in linear alignment with each other and with score line portions 110 and 112 intersecting the hinge lines 76 and 74, respectively, and forming connecting portions 114 and 116 of the shallow depth partition 46. The cut 108 continues in `an outwardly extending cut 118 communicating with a cut-out slot cut 106 is con. nected to one leg 122 of an L-shaped cut-out portion, the

120 equidistantly other leg 124 of which intersecting the slot 126. Similarly, the full depth partition 44 includes inwardly extending cuts 126 and 123 forming tabs 136 and 132, resp-:ctiively, including transverse aligned linear portions 134 and 136 in alignment with transverse fold lines 138 and 14d forming connecting portions 142 and 144 for the shallow depth partition 4S. The cut 134 intersects leg 146 of an L-shaped cut-out portion, the other leg 148 of which intersecting and inwardly opening cut-out portion 150 equidistantly between the fold lines 74 and 76. The linear portion 136 merges into an outwardly extending cut 152 intersecting a slot 150.

The shallow depth partition 46 is formed by inwardly extending cuts 154 and 156 respectively between the glue flap 22 and the front wall panel 26. The cuts 154 156 respectively originate at points 158 and 166 which is the intersection between fold lines 76, 116 and fold lines 74, 112. The cuts 154 and 156 terminate at a 'transverse cut 162 dividing the shallow depth partitions 46 and 43. The shallow depth partition 48 is formed by inwardly extending cuts 164 and 166 respectively between the cross partition panel 24 and the glue apf22 and front wall panel 26. The cuts 164 and 162 originate from points 168 and 170, respectively at the intersections between fold lines 76, 133 and fold lines 74, 146, The shallow partitions `46 and 4S each include cut-out slots 172 and 174 opening toward the cut 162 and equidistantly between the fold lines 74 and 76. Additionally, the shallow depth partitions include cut-out portions 176 and 178 respectively opening toward the side margin 18 and marginal score line 16 and respectively in alignment with the cutouts 90 and 96 formed in the full depth partitions 42 and 44. One side of the cut-out 176 and 17S is in linear alignment with the legs 122 and 146, respectively, of the 4full depth partitions. The other side of the cut-outs 176 and 17 S respectively intersect legs 180 and 182 of L-shaped cut-out portions, the other legs 134 and 136 of which being in alignment with legs 86 and 92, equidistantly between the fold lines 74 and 76.

The front wall panel 26 is divided from the bottom panel 28 by a fold line 188, the other side of the bottom panel 28 being bordered by an interrupted scored fold line 190 adjacent the partition panel 30. The partition panel 30 includes hat-shaped cut-outs 192 which form support feet or tabs 194 to engage a support surface when the carton is erected. The partition panels 36 and 32 are divided by a fold or score line 196 and a scored fold line 198 separates the partition panel 32 from the bottom panel 34. A fold line 201) extends between the bottom panel 34 and the back wall panel 36. A fold line 202 extends between the back wall panel 36 and the cover panel 38, and a fold line 204 separates the tuck flap 40 from the cover panel 38. Extending from the side 13 to the `side 26 parallel to and below the fold line 202 is a glue strip 206, or if preferred, glue flap 22 may have its entire surface 208 covered with an adhesive material.

The cut flap 4t)` includes at its upper edge bayonet-type cut-out tab portions 219, as is conventional, to lockingly engage beneath the connecting portions 114 and 142 of the carton when the carton has been closed after having been erected.

The partition panels 30 and 32 include symmetrically about the fold line 196 four linear edge portions of cutouts as indicated at 212, 214, 216, and 21S, the linear edge portions being parallel to the marginal side 18 and marginal score line 16. The linear edge portions 21.2 and214 respectively include at opposite ends thereof right angular linear portions 220` and 222 which extend toward the side 18 and intersect at substantially right angles linear portions 224 and 226, respectively. The linear portions 224 and 226 are in alignment with legs 88 and 180, respectively, of the full depth partition 42 and shallow depth partition 46 ot the cross partition panel 24. The linear edge portions 224 intersect inwardly extending arcuate edge portions 223 connecting with hat-shaped cut-out portions 236. The linear edge 216 and 218 intersect right 'angular linear portions 232 and 234, respectively, which extend toward the marginal score line 16, these port-ions intersecting right angularly disposed linear edge portions 236 and 238, respectively, which are substantially parallel to the marginal Score line 1 6 and which are respectively in substantially linear alignment with the legs 132 and 94 formed on the shallow depth partition 48 and full depth partition 44. The linear edge portions 238 are connected to arcuate cut-out portions 246 which are connected to hat-shaped cut-out portions 242.

The linear edge portions 226 and 236 terminate at their outer ends in notched out portions 244 and 246, respectively, which are respectively connected to inwardly extending arcuate cut-out portions 24S and 250 terminating in guide nose portions 252 spaced inwardly of the fold line 196i.

The blank 111 has formed in the bottom panels 28 and 34 spaced from the sides 18 and 2), and the marginal score line 16 longitudinal slots 254 and 256, respectively, for receiving therein the tabs 160, 132, and 9S, 131), of the full depth partitions 42 and 44, when the carton is erected.

Referring to FIG. 2, the blank is assembled into its substantially knocked-down or llat condition by folding the glue ap 22 at the fold line 72 and securing the adhesive portion 268 or glue portion 206 to the ap. Subsequent to this folding the longitudinal partition panels 36 and 32 will be folded at the fold line .196 outwardly of the plane of the blank as shown in FIG. 1. The longitudinal panel 36 is folded onto the bottom panel 28 and guide portions 260 and 262, respectively formed by portions 264 and 266 of the longitudinal panels 36 and 32, when they were folded upon each other, are threaded through the aligned slots 90, 176, 178, and 96 of the cross partition panel 24. The back wall panel 36 is folded on line 2G!) into overlying relationship to the bottom panel 34 whereafter the glue ap 22 is secured at 266 on the back wall panel 36.

Considering FIGS. 2, 7, and 8, in order to manually erect the carton from its hat or knocked-down position shown in FIG. 2, the front wall panel 26 is pivoted about the Vfold line 183 and drawn away from the cross partition 24. The guide portions 260 and 262 which were threaded in the slots 90, 176, 178 and 96 will move out of the slots and the linear edge portions 224, 226, 236, and 238 will respectively be guided along the legs 88, 180, 182, and 94. During this movement the guide noses 52 formed by the panel 30 and 32 will have entered the slots 172 and 174. At the time when the cross partition panel 24 is at substantially right angles to the front and back panels 26 and 36 (see FIGS. 7 and 8), the guide portions 260 and 262 will abut the legs 86, 184, 186, and 92, of the L- shaped portions on the full depth and shallow partitions. Thus these legs orient the carton to an intermediate condition of erection in a ready and expeditious manner.

The next step is to pivot the full depth and shallow partitions about the hinge lines 58 and 60, 110 and 112, 138 and 140, and 70 and 72. As the full depth partitions 42 and l44 are pivoted downwardly from the condition shown in FIG. 8, the abutment legs 86 and 92 will be disposed in a vertically extending condition where they butress the adjacent side of the longitudinal partition panel 30 (see FIG. 6). The abutment edges 184 and 186 likewise will be disposed in a vertically extending position also buttressing the partition panel 30 at the side nearest the front wall 26.

When the full depth partitions 42 are swung down about the hinge line 58, 60 and 70, 72, the feet or tabs 98, 130, and 100, 132 will lockingly engage in slots 254 and 256 of the bottom panels 28 and 34, respectively. The cut-out portions 172 and 174 of the shallow depth partitions 46, 48, respectively, will lockingly engage in the overlying notched out portions 244, 246, of the juxtaposed longitudinal partition panels 30 and 32.

It will be noted that the feet 194 which are integral with the partition panel 30 will project downwardly below the bottom panels 28 and 34 when the carton is erected (see FIG. 6). When the cover 38 is disposed in overlying relationship to the egg cells 280 (see FIG. 6), the undersurface of the cover panel 38 will abuttingly engage the upper edge or fold line between the longitudinal partition panels 30 and 32. Shock or unusual force imposed on the upper surface of the cover panel will be transmitted through the longitudinal partition panels 30 and 32 to the feet 194 which will engage a support surface. When such force is applied to the cover panel, the linear edges 86, 184, 186 and 92, which buttress the longitudinal partition panel will tend to support it in its vertical position to resist collapse of the erected carton.

Thus it will be observed that the carton, when set up, is relatively strong, has a central longitudinal partition having buttressed parts in engagement with the underside of the cover to transmit vertical forces to a support surface upon which the carton is disposed. The full and shallow depth partitions are positively maintained in a relatively fixed position and the shallow and full depth partitions may be moved from the position shown in FIG. 8 when the eggs are being inserted into the egg cells.

The carton units containing six eggs may be separated at the score line 16 and the six-egg units include and afford all of the advantages of a twelve-egg carton.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention and therefore the invention is not limited to what is shown in the drawings and described in the specification but only as indicated in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A carton comprising parallel front and rear panels respectively connected at lower edge portions to upwardly converging bottom panels terminating in inner edge portions, a cover panel hingedly connected to the upper edge of said rear panel and positionable in overlying relationship to said bottom panels, said cover panel including connecting portions detachably engageable at the upper edge of said front panel, a longitudinal reinforcing rib extending vertically from the inner edge portions of said bottom panels and terminating at an upper edge extending above the upper edge of said front panel, said rib comprising a pair of unglued, juxtaposed panel portions, one of said panel portions including depending feet struck from one of said bottom panels and terminating beneath said bottom panels, the upper edge of said rib being en-V gageable at the inner surface of said cover panel for transmitting force applied to said cover panel through said feet to a support surface, and a single, planar partition panel hingedly connected to the upper edge of said front panel and secured on the inner surface of said back panel and adapted to be juxtaposed on the inner surface of said cover panel with portions of said longitudinal reinforcing rib interposed therebetween, said partition panel including at least two full depth transverse partitions and two shallow depth partitions intermediate said full depth partitions, said rib including longitudinally spaced guide tabs having a guide edge at one side thereof, said partitions including a transverse guide edge respectively engaging the respective guide edge of one of said tabs and respectively intersecting co-linear longitudinal abutment edges engaging one side of Said tabs normal to the longitudinal rib and buttressing said rib, said transverse guide edges being mutually parallel.

2. The structure of claim l, said longitudinal rib including an inwardly extending guide nose disposed between a pair of said guide tabs, said rib including arcuate guide portions extending away from said guide nose and said pair of guide tabs, said shallow and full depth partitions including notched-out portions opening toward said guide nose and disposed on opposite sides of said longitudinal rib.

3. A carton comprising parallel front and rear panels respectively connected at lower edge portions to bottom panels terminating in inner edge portions, a cover panel hingedly connected to the upper edge of said rear panel and positionable in overlying relationship to said bottom panels, said cover panel including connecting portions Vdetachably engageable at the upper edge of said front panel, a longitudinal reinforcing rib extending vertically from the inner edge portions of said bottom panels and terminating at an upper edge, said rib comprising a pair of juxtaposed panel portions, and a single, planar parti-k tion panel hingedly connected to the upper edge of said front panel and on the inner surface of said back panel and adapted to be juxtaposed on the inner surface of said cover panel with portions of said longitudinal reinforcing rib interposed therebetween, said partition panel including at least two full depth transverse partitions and two shallow depth partitions intermediate said full depth par titions, said rib including longitudinally spaced guide tabs having a guide edge at one side thereof, said partitions including a transverse guide edge respectively engaging the respective guide edge of one of said tabs and respectively intersecting co-linear longitudinal abutment edges engaging one side of said tabs normal to the longitudinal rib and buttressing said rib, said transverse guide edges being mutually parallel.

4. The structure of claim 3, said longitudinal rib including an inwardly extending guide nose disposed between a pair of said guide tabs, said rib including arcuate guide portions extending away from said guide nose and said pair of guide tabs, shallow and full depth partitions including notched-out portions opening toward said guide nose and disposed on opposite sides of said longitudinal rib.

5. A cellular carton constructed from a single sheet of material, parallel front and rear panels parallel to a -longitudinal reinforcing rib integral with bottom panels connected to said front and rear panels, a single, planar partition panel including at least two full depth partitions and two shallow depth partitions therebetween, said partitions being disposed transversely of said longitudinal rib and hingedly connected between said front and rear panels, said longitudinal rib including longitudinally spaced guide tabs including mutually parallel guide edges disposed inwardly beneath an overlying respective abutment edge intersecting the same, said partitions each including an L-shaped portion comprising mutually parallel guide leg intersecting co-linear abutment legs, said guide legs extending towards said rear panel at the intersection between the guide edge and abutment edges of said tabs, said abutment legs being disposed normal to said guide tabs in buttressing relation to the one side of said tabs facing said front panel.

6. The structure of claim 5, said longitudinal rib being integral with said bottom panels and comprising a pair of juxtaposed unglued panel portions retained together by said partition panel portions.

7. The structure of claim 6, said guide tabs terminating in coplanar upper edges disposed above an upper edge portion of said front panel, a cover panel hingedly connected to said rear panel on a fold line substantially coplanar with the upper edges of said tabs, said cover panel including terminal edge connecting means detachably connectable at the upper edge of said front panel.

8. The structure of claim 5, said longitudinal rib including a notched-out locking portion spaced beneath the intersection between the guide and abutment edges of a pair of said guide tabs, said notched-out locking portions securing a lower edge portion of said shallow partitions in abutting transverse relation to the guide edge of said pair of guide tabs.

9. A blank for a paperboard carton comprising,vin order, a glue ap, a single, planar cross partition panel, a front wall panel, a irst bottom panel, a pair of longitudinal partition panels, a second bottom panel, a back wall panel, a cover panel and a tuck ap, all separated by fold lines, said cross partition panel including at least one group of cross partitions comprising two full depth partitions and two shallow depth partitions therebetween, said full depth and shallow depth partitions each including a lirst notched-out portion extending inwardly from the lateral side edge of said blank equidistantly between the fold lines bordering the partition panel, said full and shallow depth partitions each including an L-shaped cutout portion including one leg positioned equidistantly between the fold lines bordering lthe partition panel, the other leg of said L-shaped cut-out portion extending toward the glue ap and terminating in a second notchedout portion opening toward one lateral side edge of the blank, said full depth partitions including a second shaped cut-out portion having a leg extending away from one end of the inwardly extending ilrst notched-out portion of the full depth partitions and a second leg merging into one bordering side of the outwardly extending second notched-out portion of the adjacent shallow depth partition, said longitudinal partition panels each including symmetrically about the fold line therebetween four linear edge portions parallel to the lateral side edges o said blank and connected by an outwardly extending linear portion, each connected at opposite ends to second linear edge portions in substantial alignment with the other legs antenas of the first-mentioned L-shaped cut-out portions of said full depth and shallow depth partitions, said last-mentioned linear edge portions continuing at one'end in arcuate portions converging toward the told line between said longitudinal partition panels, the innermost arcuate portions terminating in opposed nose portions lterminating short of the fold line between said longitudinal partition panels and in alignment with the inwardly directed notched-out portions on said shallow depth partitions.

l0. A blank as set forth in claim 9, at least one of said longitudinal partitions including tab portions integral therewith and extending into one of said bottom panels.

ll. A blank as set forth in claim 9, the innermost arcuate portions including at the terminus of the linear edge portions from which they extend a notched-out portion.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

